Strain relief clamp for washing machine drain hose

Abstract

A strain relief clamp for a washing machine drain hose which includes a pair of hinged clamp members each having a plastic plate with a semi-circular indent adapted for receiving a corrugated drain hose from opposite sides thereby completely surrounding and clamping the drain hose. Each clamp member has a wall which is perpendicular to the plate, which wall members cooperatively form a neck which conforms to the shape of the aperture through which the drain hose exits the washer cabinet. Each wall has a plurality of locking tabs such that when the neck is inserted into the aperture until the plates contact the cabinet panel, the locking tabs snap into place and prevent removal of the strain relief clamp. The hose is thereby securely clamped at its exit through the cabinet panel thereby providing strain relief for the interconnection between the drain hose and the pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus adapted for securing a corrugated drain hose having a rib and a groove to peripheral portions of an aperture through which the drain hose exits a clothes washer cabinet, the apparatus comprising: first and second clamp members each having a substantially arcuate notch adapted for receiving said drain hose on opposite sides and cooperatively forming a collar around said drain hose, said first and second clamp members each having a predetermined thickness adapted for seating in said groove and engaging said rib wherein said hose is prevented from being pulled through said collar; and   means connected to said first and second clamp members and insertable through said aperture for cooperatively snap locking said first and second clamp members to said peripheral portions of said aperture wherein said drain hose is secured to said washer cabinet at the point of exit.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second clamp members are connected by a hinge. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second clamp members comprises a plate, said snap locking means comprising a wall member perpendicular to said plate and having a shape substantially conforming to a portion of the perimeter of said aperture, said snap locking means further comprising outwardly extending locking tabs resiliently suspended from said wall. 
     
     
       5. A clamp adapted for securing a corrugated drain hose to peripheral portions of an aperture through which the drain hose exits a cabinet of a clothes washer so as to provide strain relief for a connection of the hose to a pump of the clothes washer, said clamp comprising: first and second clamp members each comprising a plate having a substantially semi-circular notch wherein said notches are adapted for receiving said corrugated drain hose from opposite sides and seating into a groove of said corrugated drain hose thereby substantially forming a circumferential collar around said drain hose;   means for holding said first and second clamp members together within said aperture and around said drain hose, said holding means comprising first and second cooperating wall members extending perpendicularly from said respective first and second clamp members and substantially conforming to the perimeter of said aperture for insertion therethrough; and   means for affixing said clamp members to said cabinet, said affixing means comprising resilient locking tabs extending outwardly from said wall members, said locking tabs being adapted for bending inwardly by contacting perimeter edges of said aperture as said wall members are inserted through said aperture and then snapping outwardly after passing through said aperture thereby preventing said first and second clamp members rom being withdrawn from said aperture.   
     
     
       6. The clamp recited in claim 5 further comprising a hinge interconnecting said first and second clamp members. 
     
     
       7. The clamp recited in claim 6 wherein said hinge comprises a living hinge. 
     
     
       8. In a washing machine, the combination comprising a pump for pumping liquid from a tub, a corrugated drain hose having a rib and a groove for conveying the liquid from the pump to a household drain, an outer cabinet having an aperture through which the drain hose passes, and means for providing strain relief for the connection between the drain hose and the pump, the providing means comprising a pair of conforming clamp members each having a plate with a semi-circular notch for seating against opposing sides of the drain hose and forming a collar around the drain hose, at least a portion of the clamp members being disposed in said groove engaging said rib wherein said drain hose is prevented from being pulled through said collar, the clamp members comprising perpendicular wall portions conforming to the aperture of the cabinet for insertion therethrough, the wall members having resilient locking tabs for engaging wall portions of the cabinet and securing the drain hose to the cabinet at the exit aperture. 
     
     
       9. The method of securing a corrugated drain hose having a rib and a groove to peripheral portions of an aperture in a washing machine cabinet through which the drain hose passes, comprising the steps of: engaging opposing sides of said drain hose with clamp members comprising plates having semi-circular notches for receiving said drain hose and forming a collar therearound, said clamp members seating in said groove and engaging said rib wherein said drain hose is prevented from being pulled through said collar, said clamps members further having wall portions perpendicular to said plates and conforming to the perimeter of said aperture;   inserting said wall portions through said aperture; and   providing said wall portions with snap locking tabs which resiliently bend outwardly after passage through said aperture thereby preventing removal of said clamp members from said aperture.   
     
     
       10. The method recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of providing said clamp members with an interconnecting hinge.